Why do we still have smokers?

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Rick V

People look at me like I am the walking plague because I smoke, they can deal with it.

That's not the reason, Rick.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Oh I am well aware of the consequences of my actions and the stupidity of it. It's just that I really don't care right now.

At least you're honest about it.

[72doug2,2S]

I find the effects of smoking pretty unappealing, including breathe and stale odors.

However, the best scent combination for me in the entire world was growing up on Siesta Key beach smelling coconut suntan lotion, cigarettes, salt air, and sun all mixed up in an intoxicating aroma that will never leave me.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by Rick V

... my smokes are basically the only thing keeping me from breaking your nose....

RickV, this was my biggest challenge when quitting... The moment I get stressed I want to reach for one. The key for me (and I'm not preaching here) was to think about why I felt that this smoke somehow made things better. Realized that it was only because I basically decided that it did... Yes it does affect the pleasure centers of your brain.

In the end, for me, I just got tired of:
Being a slave to it. Having a big wad of phlegm in my throat every morning and coughing it up, waking up at night with one, heaving like an asthma sufferer when I work out, (and getting my butt kicked by a 19 year old in sparring as a result) and finally thinking about having that conversation with my son/daughter about why Daddy won't be there for their wedding/graduation/whatever because I liked to smoke. Imagining the look on their face and the pain it would cause me to say it, well, that keeps me going.

I'm on day 33 after 23 years....

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Christien

At least you're honest about it.

Who isn't honest about it? Is there anyone left in the world who doesn't know smoking is very bad for them? If so, I don't think they'll be convinced by a Surgeon General's warning label. I just love the arrogance of non-smokers who think they're really imparting wisdom by telling a smoker they're hurting themselves or anything everyone else in the world doesn't already know.

[cstreit]

Rick Lee... My usual response to "Don't you know that is bad for you?" Was a look in the eye and "Don't you know that butting into other peoples private business is bad for YOU?"

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

...........I just love the arrogance of non-smokers who think they're really imparting wisdom by telling a smoker they're hurting themselves .....................

As pointed out several times in this thread already, it's the ex-smokers who are most vigilant about this.

Think about it.

One of your own preaching to you.

I've told myself one cigar on Saturday (social reasons), and if I feel like it, pull out the tobacco pipe on Sunday and watch the ducks land on my buddy's lake.

[Tobra]

Tobacco is the most addictive thing in the world, that is why. I have it on good authority from people that would know that it is worse than heroin or meth.

They lose a lot of their sense of smell, so they don't know how much they stink

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by kach22i

As pointed out several times in this thread already, it's the ex-smokers who are most vigilant about this.

Think about it.

One of your own preaching to you.

I've told myself one cigar on Saturday (social reasons), and if I feel like it, pull out the tobacco pipe on Sunday and watch the ducks land on my buddy's lake.

I have never heard such a thing from an ex smoker and would never think of saying such a thing to a current smoker. I could not care less that others smoke, as long as it's not my wife. As a former smoker, I totally understand every possible reason for smoking and how enjoyable it can be. Most people's lives are harder than mine and it's the height of arrogance to think quitting should be as easy for them as it was for me.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I quit drugs, and I am not talking about just smoking a little weed
I quit drinking, ended up in the hospital for a week because my body was shutting down from the withdrawal
I have one vice left, smoking, and I don't smoke as much as I used to, but I am still a smoker.
People look at me like I am the walking plaque because I smoke, they can deal with it.
I don't smoke in my house, my cars, or around anybody that my smoke bothers.
I am going through a very bad slice of life right now and smoking is about the only thing that allows the rest of society to go on existing.
To generally look down your nose at me, is your choice but remember my smokes are basically the only thing keeping me from breaking your nose. (that was meant in a humorous tone but as with most jokes there is some truth behind it)

You and your smokes can hang out with me anytime you want, Rick.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

By cstreit: I'm on day 33 after 23 years....

Good on ya Chris. Although it sounds a bit trite - giving up the ciggies is a one-day-at-a-time
thing & from my own experience - still is. One only has to employ one's own higher learning centres to make the right & healthy choices. I won't begin tell you it is easy, it ain't, but it can be done.
Good Luck & Cheers
JB
& OBTW - I give smokers a free pass unless it's in my car or house & I try to avoid 2nd hand smoke without making others feel uncomfortable

[Christien]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Who isn't honest about it? Is there anyone left in the world who doesn't know smoking is very bad for them? If so, I don't think they'll be convinced by a Surgeon General's warning label. I just love the arrogance of non-smokers who think they're really imparting wisdom by telling a smoker they're hurting themselves or anything everyone else in the world doesn't already know.

It was the " just that I really don't care right now" bit that I was referring to. Many (most?) smokers who are "unable" to quit find all sorts of ways to lay blame for their failure to quit on anything/anyone other than themselves, when what it really comes down to is that they don't want to quit.

[creaturecat]

Hoping things get better for you Rick V.

[gacook]

Originally Posted by cstreit

RickV, this was my biggest challenge when quitting... The moment I get stressed I want to reach for one. The key for me (and I'm not preaching here) was to think about why I felt that this smoke somehow made things better. Realized that it was only because I basically decided that it did... Yes it does affect the pleasure centers of your brain.

In the end, for me, I just got tired of:
Being a slave to it. Having a big wad of phlegm in my throat every morning and coughing it up, waking up at night with one, heaving like an asthma sufferer when I work out, (and getting my butt kicked by a 19 year old in sparring as a result) and finally thinking about having that conversation with my son/daughter about why Daddy won't be there for their wedding/graduation/whatever because I liked to smoke. Imagining the look on their face and the pain it would cause me to say it, well, that keeps me going.

I'm on day 33 after 23 years....

Absolutely wonderful insight; will try to reflect on this as I continue my endeavor to quit (just had a relapse about 10 min ago...).

Scariest thing for me is I fear at least one of my children will "pick up the habit" from my example. Oldest daughter--no worries, she's been chastising me about my smoking since she learned to talk. Second daughter--a little worried, she's been mimicking the puffing/smoking (fingers to mouth and away) since she learned to start imitating people (I never smoke in the house or around the kids--always outside in solitude, but she could see me), she's impulsive and she LOVES the smell...and my son...not so worried. He says he likes the smell, but tells me I'm dumb for smoking (he's 6 as of yesterday). Gotta love the wisdom of children.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by gacook

Scariest thing for me is I fear at least one of my children will "pick up the habit" from my example. Oldest daughter--no worries, she's been chastising me about my smoking since she learned to talk.

My oldest sister was like that, she was the one putting a pack of my dad's cigarettes in the sink with running water to get him to quit.

She is the one person in the family which smokes, and a lot too.

I once gave her a pack of "Black Death" brand as a joke, she smoked them all and then told me they were not very good.

Maybe she feels it makes her closer to our dad which passed away (non-related death) 25 years ago.

[gacook]

I'm a similar story, Kach. I was adament about non-smoking as a kid (dad and 3 sisters smoked). I never messed with dad's smokes (he'd have killed me), but I often did stuff to my sisters; hid them, sprayed them with water guns while they lit one up to kill it, told them they were stupid, etc. My dad's been smoking since he was 12--and it shows. Even when I was a kid, he would wake up in the middle of the night hacking up a lung, had his first heart attack at 36 (he was also a heavy drinker and used TONS of salt), etc. So, I know the effects; have always known them, and yet I started smoking...when I was an adult. Typically, I consider myself a rather intelligent person. So, why in the hell did I start something so damn stupid? It still baffles me.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

That's not the reason, Rick.

Well yeah but it is one of them.

[rnln]

One of the answers is that it's his own choice, if you ask nice.
If you don't ask in a nice way, the answer is "why the f care?". It's not your business.
If the smoker who bothered you by smoking in your property or your own place or an enclosed public place, kick him out.
I he bothered you by smoking smoking on the public street, you have a problem.

[ckelly78z]

I tried dope and loved it, I tried drinking and loved it, I tried cigarettes and hated them the first, second, third, and fourth times I tried them. I was never addicted to any of these things, or anything else for that matter including the good pain pills after my recent accident.

I believe there are people who are born with a predisposition for weakness, or in simpler terms, an addictive personality. Anything they try will become a life long habit very soon.

[jwgn777]

Originally Posted by Rick V

I quit drugs, and I am not talking about just smoking a little weed
I quit drinking, ended up in the hospital for a week because my body was shutting down from the withdrawal
I have one vice left, smoking, and I don't smoke as much as I used to, but I am still a smoker.
People look at me like I am the walking plaque because I smoke, they can deal with it.
I don't smoke in my house, my cars, or around anybody that my smoke bothers.
I am going through a very bad slice of life right now and smoking is about the only thing that allows the rest of society to go on existing.
To generally look down your nose at me, is your choice but remember my smokes are basically the only thing keeping me from breaking your nose. (that was meant in a humorous tone but as with most jokes there is some truth behind it)

(Quote)(I don't smoke in my house, my cars, or around anybody that my smoke bothers.) Well you are more considerate then some other smokers I know. Am not a smoker. I have one old friend that smokes a lot but he does go out of his way not to smoke in front of me even in his own home he steps out side to smoke a butt when he usually smokes inside. So even though you might not be able to quit I do appreciate the fact you understand it might bother some individuals.